When one of Barker's victims became suspicious, she reported the defendant to the police who eventually discovered the truth. Whilst being investigated, Barker even claimed to have been assaulted by one of her fictional characters, "Luke Jones".

Barker, of Staines, Middlesex, was told by Judge Peter Moss at the court that she would be in custody for the first half of the term and serve the remainder on licence.

He said: "I have concluded that these offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."

Moss then told Barker: "Nothing that you have ever said to any expert or the police sheds any light on, or provides any understanding of, your motivation for these offences.

"Nor have I nor anyone else seen any flicker of remorse for what you have done."

The judge added Barker's guilty pleas were "a complete reversal of the position you had held up until then", having previously used "persistent lies and denials".

Barker showed no emotion as she left the dock to start her sentence, to be served at least initially in a young offenders' institution.

She had previously admitted two counts of sexual assault and one of fraud. The offences took place between November 23 2009 and May 10 2010.